Episode 1: Bedsheets and Broomsticks
Henry was home early from work, but he didn’t seem very interested in the show I was about to put on for him. He let me push him onto the bed, my naked body in full view, but he seemed distracted. He was looking for something.
Henry didn’t stop his search until he pulled something out from under the pillow.
“What is this?” I said, scooting next to him and looking at a white envelope he held in front of me.
“Open it,” Henry said, grinning, “I was going to surprise you with it, but I can’t wait.”
“Right now?” I ask, pouting, “this can’t wait until later?"
“Now.” He said, his eyes lighting up and I sighed. Henry was excited, but it wasn’t exactly the excitement I was looking for.
Henry had just returned from a month long stay at his usual suite at The Plaza, one of New York’s most luxurious and top-rated hotels. It wasn’t uncommon for him to stay weeks or even a month or two at a hotel, especially when a case required travel. Henry was currently the top-sought lawyer in New York, after defending (and winning the case) for one of New York’s most prominent corporate shareholders. The shareholder, a bigwig in the newspaper business who had shares in the automobile industry, had “let slip” in an article about their next technological advancement. Sales boomed for the industry, but the plans for the technology were made public. The shareholder raked in the profits, but was sued for breaching contract. Because the shareholder could not be directly attributed as the article writer, the case was lost, and a counter-suit was won.
Henry became instantly established. I didn’t mind much, besides the lonely nights. I had lots of wine to keep me company and nighttime swims at the poolside to keep me busy.
And so, I smiled despite my sexual frustration and grabbed my silk robe I had slipped out of earlier.
“Okay,” I said, putting it on and tying it loosely, “give it to me.”
I took the envelope from him. It was thicker than it looked and made of high quality paper. I turned it over, and saw a bright red seal with the letters TW in gold lettering.
My heart stopped for a moment. I recognized that seal. I could draw that seal with my eyes closed.
A slash mark, made from an envelope opener, revealed that the contents of the letter had been read.
Beads of sweat settled across my forehead.
“What is this?” I said, curious as I looked back and forth between him and the letter.
“I couldn’t help but open the letter,” Henry said, rubbing his palms together in palpable excitement, “especially when I saw the letters on the seal.”
“Well,” I said, setting the letter down on the bed, “I don’t recognize it.”
Liar. I was such a liar.
“We’ve been invited to the most posh event of the century, the Phoenix Parade Burning at the Theodore Wade Estates. This is a great opportunity for us, and it will be heavily publicized. Isn’t this exciting?”
I couldn’t speak. My hand was shaking as I opened the envelope and picked up the letter. The invitation was handwritten, and beautiful. I instantly recognized the script.
The letters on the seal were on nearly every scrap of paper that had entered The Estates. The handwriting belonged to none other than the family butler, Geoffrey. He prided himself on serving the Wade family for over fifty years, and on being the delegated writer of the exclusive invitations of the Phoenix Parade Burning.
I nodded, not willing to speak until I regained my composure.
“This is great. This truly means we’ve hit the big leagues. And I can’t wait to taste the Hors D’oeuvres.”
“I can’t wait,” Henry said, lifting me up and into his arms, “I get to show off my pretty fiance and meet new clients. That’s a win-win.”
His excitement shifting to pleasure, he pulled me into his arms.
My mind couldn’t have been further away as our lovemaking ensued. Afterwards, I stared up at my reflection in the mirrored ceiling.
I was mentally warding away the call I knew would be coming soon.
